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Former Rev Tony Lochhead has a tryout with the EPL.(Photo credit: Joyce Furia) |
Lochhead earned the invitation to Gareth Southgate’s side after a reference from Ricki Herbert, manager of Australia’s A-League club Wellington Phoenix, Lochhead’s club since 2007.
“Given Ricki’s recommendation we are very keen to take a look at him, judge him against the players we have here already and see if we can use him,” Southgate told ESPN Soccernet. “At the moment we have several great young players but we are probably lacking a bit of experience. That’s why it will be good to take a look at Tony.
“We’ve had good discussions with Ricki and he recommended Tony as a player we should keep an eye on.”
Should Lochhead impress Southgate enough, he would become the second former Rev to join the Premiership in as many years, with Clint Dempsey joining Fulham after the 2006 MLS season.
After a standout career at UC-Santa Barbara, Lochhead was drafted by the Revs in the third round of the 2005 MLS SuperDraft. After appearing in 19 matches over two-plus seasons for Steve Nicol, Lochhead was released early in the 2007 season. He signed with Phoenix shortly thereafter.
Lochhead has earned 16 caps with the New Zealand senior national team.
Phoenix’s decision to grant Lochhead came as a surprise to some – including the player himself – given that the A-League’s season starts in less than a month. But the club’s chief executive, Tony Pignata, said this is “an opportunity the club simply couldn’t deny Tony.”
“It is every player’s ambition to play in the Premier League and it’s fantastic for Tony and the club that he has this chance,” Pignata told Phoenix’s web site. “If Tony signs then he leaves the Phoenix with our blessing. If not, he’ll return to the squad in time for the start of the season.”
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